General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBritain is in crisis. So why is President Trump coming to visit?
By Anne Applebaum
Clearly, hes not coming to town to conduct any important business, to do any deals or negotiate any treaties: There isnt anybody to negotiate with. He might issue some threats he reportedly plans to say he will cut off intelligence cooperation with Britain if it continues to do business with the Chinese company Huawei but the British cabinet isnt in a position to coordinate a response, so it hardly matters. Nor will his presence enhance the fabled, albeit somewhat shopworn, Anglo-American relationship. His last visit to Britain was a PR catastrophe. He insulted the prime minister, he embarrassed Queen Elizabeth II, and he even managed to annoy the Sun newspaper, a Rupert Murdoch-owned tabloid that attacked him as Fake Schmooze. At the time of his last visit, 77 percent of Britons disapproved of the U.S. president, and there is no reason to think those numbers have improved.
From Londons point of view, the visit makes no sense, either. British attempts to humor Trump, to engage him, have all failed. The soon-to-be-ex-prime minister Theresa Mays efforts to forge a relationship with Trump backfired, adding to her widespread unpopularity. Aware of his toxicity, the leaders of the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties have said they will not attend a state banquet in his honor. The duchess of Sussex the British royal family member formerly known as the American actress Meghan Markle has also indicated that she will not meet the president of the United States.
But other members of the royal family have, it seems, no choice. A state visit, as opposed to a working visit, implies extensive time spent with the queen, who is head of state, up to and including that Buckingham Palace banquet. And this, it seems, is the point. Trump will not accomplish anything, either for the United States or for Britain. But he will achieve something that is, for him, actually more important. He will be photographed with some uniquely recognizable, world-class celebrities: the queen, Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry. They will all be there, doing their duty, because they have to. And Trumps compulsive, narcissistic need to be the center of attention will be serviced.
Everywhere he goes, Trump is bored by working meetings and rude to those who attend them. He cant make deals or negotiate because he doesnt know enough about the issues. But where there is empty pomp and circumstance a French Bastille Day parade, or the Queens Guard standing at attention outside Windsor Castle he is impressed and pleased. The logistics of this visit, like any presidential visit, are immense. The British state will spend 18 million pounds (about $22 million) on his security; the U.S. taxpayer will spend many multiples of that sum; hundreds of hours will have been wasted on planning. And all so that one mans fragile ego can be boosted for another day.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/britain-is-in-crisis-so-why-is-president-trump-coming-to-visit/2019/05/31/e4eab7da-83ca-11e9-933d-7501070ee669_story.html?utm_term=.4d72b20122c5
Apparently ,he's bringing all five of his grifter children at taxpayer expense. Even Tiffany, who he barely acknowledges.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)for tRUMP here in the US. He himself admits that "I'm fucked" by the truth of the investigations.
What better place to catch a flight to Russia than from England?
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)back when Brexit was supposed to happen in March. They planned on schmoozing Trump to get a trade deal and they know he's impressed by "empty pomp and circumstance".
Takket
(21,632 posts)make sure there is no move for a revote, keep them motivated. The EU extended the "deal" deadline way back to give them more time which is dangerous for putin's efforts to destroy the UK as they might use that time to revote, so he is dispatching drumpf to help ensure that doesn't happen.
octoberlib
(14,971 posts)Trump is there.
malaise
(269,182 posts)of the Holey Moran Empire.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I cannot understand it. Other than Trump's vain, narcissistic need to have him and his white trash family photographed with the royal family, it seems to be nothing more than a grandiose photo op. I find the whole thing repugnant.
MBS
(9,688 posts)she nails the essence of Trump:
Everywhere he goes, Trump is bored by working meetings and rude to those who attend them. He cant make deals or negotiate because he doesnt know enough about the issues. But where there is empty pomp and circumstance a French Bastille Day parade, or the Queens Guard standing at attention outside Windsor Castle he is impressed and pleased. The logistics of this visit, like any presidential visit, are immense. The British state will spend 18 million pounds (about $22 million) on his security; the U.S. taxpayer will spend many multiples of that sum; hundreds of hours will have been wasted on planning. And all so that one mans fragile ego can be boosted for another day.
Brother Buzz
(36,469 posts)FakeNoose
(32,773 posts)Even if the Queen were to let Chump ride in the "golden" carriage - and it's doubtful she would - the carriage isn't bulletproof. It's made of very old wood, leather, and regular safety glass. There's no way the Secret Service guys could make that carriage safe or bulletproof, and they'd never allow him on it.
Brother Buzz
(36,469 posts)The queen will have a mess of coins in her change purse and ride on it for a fun photo op, then goad the orange anus to join her.